KUCHING: The proposal to continue the
construction of the Kuching City flood mitigation canal is under way despite
works on the project had ceased due to lack of fund.
The canal project, sited in Matang, will
connect Sarawak River to Batang Semariang so that access water can be
channelled directly into the sea, especially during the rainy season.
Currently, two kilometres of the proposed
8.2-km canal had been completed a few years ago before works on the project stopped due to lack of fund.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr
James Jemut Masing yesterday visited the site of the completed canal where he was briefed by a
group of consultants.
Speaking with the New Sarawak Tribune,
Masing said the canal had proven to be the best option to mitigate floods in
Kuching City and the surrounding areas.
“Building the canal is better for many
reasons compared to building a dam upstream. The latter requires vast acres of
land, resettlement of people and nothing can be developed on the land once the
dam is up.
“In contrast, land located near the canal
can be developed into areas bustling with economic activities,” he said.
He disclosed that the total cost of the
project might rise to RM2 billion which would include the construction cost of
the remaining canal of 6.2 km, a tidal gate, a barrage and two bridges.
The already completed canal has average
depth of seven metres.
Masing expressed his confidence in the
project’s ability to migitate floods in Kuching which continued to affect the
residents of the city and surrounding areas.
“Nobody can quantify the domestic damage
caused every time flood occurs. That is why we need to tackle the matter and
this canal is our biggest option in overcoming the problem.
“This is proven because various departments
had studied the proposal amongst other proposals to mitigate flood.
“That is why the land had been acquired and
approved by the Public Commission of Malaysia (SPA) 10 years ago,” he
explained.
He also said that the project would take
five to six years to complete and his visit yesterday was of significance before
forwarding the proposal to the state government.
Masing was accompanied by former director
of Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) Wong Sin Huong, KTA Sarawak
director Lai Cho Sim, KTA Associate Tan Tai Kang and representatives from
Perunding Daya Cipta, Simon Woon and Keelan Woon.
TAN Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing (third left) being briefed on the
plan for Kuching City flood mitigation canal by Simon Woon (left) and Lai Cho
Sim (centre) as Keelan Woon (second left), Wong Sin Huong and Tan Tai Kang look
on during the visit to project site.
By : Yusuf Shukri, Sarawak Tribune
Date Posted : Friday 05-Aug-2016
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